Oakland Aero Club

The Oakland Aero Club was formed 8 Aug. 1909 but preparations appear to have been going on before that since a balloon had already been completed for the club. The first event following the club's organization was a christening of its 45,000 cu. ft., four-passenger balloon on 14 Aug. 1909. In October 1908, the club's balloon, City of Oakland, piloted by Capt. J. C. Mars, who was accompanied by Oakland society girl Miss Margeurita Miller, won the the Pertola Aviation Cup offered by Pacific Aero Club, whose balloon Queen of the Pacific was piloted by Capt. Ivy Baldwin with Miss Geneva Schaffer in the basket. . Bylaws based on those of the Aero Club of America were expected to be adopted on 21 Dec. 1909.

Initial officers elected were: A. Van der Naillen, Jr., president; Dr. C. L. Tisdale and H. C. Capwell, vice presidents; Col. Thomas (or Theodore) Gier, treasurer; and Edwin Stearns, secretary. The club then numbered some 50 members. New officers including Robert W. Martland, president, and James C. Moin, secretary, were elected and formally installed on 15 Dec. 1909. J. C. Mars, Wilson Carrier, and Edward Marriott were appointed to draw up the bylaws. By March 1910, 175 members were reported and Glenn Curtiss had been elected honorary president.

Sources

• 1909 SF Chronicle, 8, 13, 15 & 18 Aug., 8 & 25 Oct., 5 Nov., and 17 Dec.; 5 Aeronautics (NYC) 161 (1909); 1910 Aircraft, 1 Mar.; 1910 LA Times, 5 Jan; 1910 NYT, 3 June

Organization names	Oakland Aero Club : Aero Club of Oakland
Entity type
Country	US
City	Oakland, California
Affiliated with
Scope	Local
Started aero	1909
Ended aero
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